The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

“BY the way, don’t try anything with Astrid Townsend.”

Hearing that, Valentine frowned. He did not like the way Cynric was speaking about another man. Even if that man was much younger and was probably going to be involved with that brute, Wulfric, in the future, it still bothered him. Yes, he could be that jealous and petty.

Cynric seemed to know what he’s thinking, because he quickly added, “I mean it, Val. Don’t try anything funny, thinking that you could get back at Wulf through Astrid.”

Valentine raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of amusement and irritation. “Are you worried about that rookie?”

“You’re the one I’m worried about, you fool,” Cynric said with an annoyed huff. “Wulf is completely serious about Astrid. He’d marry him right now if he could. If you do anything to Astrid, my brother will retaliate. We just made up, and I’m not sure I can protect you from him. So don’t do anything that would force me to choose between you two.”

All Valentine truly heard was that Cynric was worried about him. The sting of his earlier irritation faded away in an instant. He realized that if Cynric did not care for him at all, he would not have gone out of his way to issue such a serious and direct warning. Cynric was afraid that Valentine would be the one to get hurt if he provoked Wulfric. The fact that Cynric was concerned for his safety meant everything. It was proof that Valentine mattered to him, and that was all he needed to know.

A slow, genuine smile spread across his face. “Okay. I’ll do as you want.”

Cynric stared at him, carefully studying his expression to see if he was being truthful. Seemingly satisfied with what he saw, he gave a short nod. “Good. And from now on, try to avoid getting into any more conflicts with Wulf.”

“Cyn, you should be telling that to your brother,” Valentine said, his tone laced with sarcasm. “He’s the one who’s always glaring and throwing insults whenever he sees me. I’m just returning the favor.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Cynric said, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. “I don’t think Wulf will be doing that anymore.”

“Are we still talking about your brother?” Valentine asked. “Even if you two made up, you should not start talking about him like he’s some kind of angel.”

Just saying the word ‘angel’ in the same sentence as Wulfric made him feel a little creeped out.

“I’m not saying this just because we made up. It’s because I saw that Wulf is genuinely trying to change,” Cynric explained. “For example, do you know that Wulf was the one who convinced me to think about our relationship? If not for him, I probably would not be taking this step. Do you think the Wulf you know would ever do something like that?”

Valentine was surprised when he heard that. His first instinct was to deny it. Given how Wulfric had treated him from the moment they met, it was difficult to believe the man would do such a thing. But he knew Cynric would not lie about something like this just to make him get along with Wulfric.

So, it was actually true?

As he thought about it, a sudden idea occurred to him. Could this change in Wulfric be because of Astrid Townsend?

***

“You want to get to know him better?”

Leon’s question pulled Valentine out of his thoughts. He turned to look at his agent, who was watching him with a suspicious expression.

He smiled helplessly. “Is that so strange? And as his senior, I’m also in a perfect position to offer him some guidance.”

Leon stared at him, and then his suspicious expression shifted into one of pure shock as a thought seemed to hit him. “You… don’t tell me you’re actually interested in Astrid Townsend like that? Does you-know-who know about this? Did the two of you break up?”

Valentine felt his eye twitch. He almost picked up the nearest vase and threw it at his agent. The ‘you know who’ Leon was talking about was Cynric. His agent was the only other person who knew about their relationship. He had not originally planned to tell Leon, but keeping his relationship with the emperor a complete secret was difficult. He needed someone to help him manage the secrecy, and who better than his agent?

Now, he felt a little regretful that he had told Leon. If he had not, then the other would not be saying such ridiculous things right now.

He smiled at Leon, but the expression was cold and did not reach his eyes. “Are you trying to jinx me? If not, then stop talking nonsense.”

Leon scratched his cheek, a chill from Valentine’s smile ran down his spine. “Fine. If it is not that, then what is the real reason?”

“It really is not something so serious,” Valentine said with a sigh. “Don’t worry, I will not do anything that you will have to clean up afterward.”

He was being completely honest. His plan was not some elaborate scheme to target or harass Astrid Townsend. He just wanted to see for himself, up close, what kind of person could have such a profound effect on someone as volatile and untamed as Wulfric. He wanted to understand how such a young man could inspire that much of a change in someone who many considered crazy and violent.

Leon still looked at Valentine with suspicion, as if he did not believe a single word the other had said. But he decided not to question Valentine any further. He would just make sure he was prepared in case he did have to clean up the other’s mess later.

***

Astrid decided not to dwell on his upcoming appearance on [Stage of Two]. Since it was already confirmed he would be on the program with Valentine Davis, worrying would only cause him stress. So, he decided to just focus on studying the script for [Blind Justice].

Then, three days later, the day for the program recording finally arrived.